Devastating news for Limerick as more details of job losses at well-known firm emerge

THERE is devastating news in West Limerick this Friday after it emerged around 140 jobs are to be lost at Kostal in Abbeyfeale.

It comes as the car parts manufacturer plans to move part of its operations to China later this year.

Staff were given the information of the redundancies at a meeting on Thursday evening and Kostal confirmed the news this Friday morning.

"Kostal Automobil Elektrik can confirm that it has informed employees today that it has taken the difficult decision to restructure its Irish operations in Limerick. Regrettably, this will result in the loss of 140 jobs at its manufacturing site in Abbeyfeale, by the end of 2026," a spokesperson for the company confirmed.

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Limerick Live understands that 95 operator jobs and 45 non-operator positions are set to be lost to the town on Kerry's border.

There are approximately 360 people still employed at Kostal Abbeyfeale.

Kostal’s plant in Mallow, which produces a separate line of automotive products, is not impacted by the move.

Independent Ireland TD Richard O'Donoghue raised the losses in Dail Eireann on Thursday night.

"Ireland is becoming a place where you are being taxed out of existence. It's something i have been feeling on the ground for the last two years that something is coming. Unless this government does something to help the working people in this country to have an existence they can survive and see a future for their children - that they can stay here and they don't want to leave these shores. That's what we have got to achieve," he said.

"The people of Abbeyfeale have now lost 140 jobs to China. Is the writing not on the wall? What will this do for the people in Abbeyfeale? The businesses they suppport in Abbeyfeale and around communities within Kerry and Limerick? What have you got to say to them this evening," he asked.

Fianna Fail councillor Michael Collins, who leads the district where Abbeyfeale is based on Likmerick's local authority, said: "I am very sorry to hear the sad and difficult news of job losses in Abbeyfeale. I worked in Kostal for three years after leaving college and has been a huge contributor to families and the wider economy in West Limerick, North Kerry and North Cork for close on five decades."

A Kostal spokesperson added: "Today’s announcement in no way reflects upon the commitment and work ethic of employees at Kostal's Abbeyfeale site. Kostal has had a presence in Abbeyfeale since 1981, manufacturing automotive products for the global automotive industry, with OBC products being manufactured since 2011. As part of the redundancy announcement, LKostal will now enter into a consultation process with employees and their representatives. The company remains committed to acting in a fair, balanced and constructive way as KOSTAL navigates the current challenges facing the automotive industry and positions for future success."

SIPTU Organiser, Eva Mitchell, said: “Senior Kostal management travelled from Germany to Abbeyfeale yesterday (Thursday) to formally announce its decision on the scale of redundancies at the plant.

“While there had been indications that job losses were imminent since late last year, due to the production of OBCs (on-board chargers) being moved overseas, the confirmation of the scale of the redundancies has caused deep distress and anger among employees, their families, and the wider community. The loss of 140 skilled, high-value jobs will be widely felt and will have a lasting impact locally.

“Kostal’s Irish workforce has given decades of dedicated service to the company. The commitment, skill and professionalism they have shown would seem to count for little in the face of changes driven by global trade factors beyond their ability to influence.”

She added: “The 30-day statutory consultation period between the company and workers’ representatives is due to begin next week. SIPTU will fully engage in this process to protect our Union members’ interests and secure the best possible outcome available to them."

“Any redundancies arising from the process will initially be voluntary. We are also calling upon state agencies to engage with the community in planning for the creation of future high-quality jobs, which the local economy depends on.”